Portable sample-sheet holder and display-rack.



J. C. DAWSON. PORTABLE SAMPLE SHEET HOLDER AND DISPLAY RACK. APPLICATION man 1mm. 1m.

3 SHEETS-SHEET I.

Patented Jan. 28, 1919.

J. C. DAWSON. PORTABLE SAMPLE SHEET HOLDER AND DISPLAY RAcK.

APP LICATION FILED J'AN.29, I916 I Patented Jan. 28, 1919.

3 SH'nETS-SHEET 2.

J. C. DAWSON. v PORTABLE SAMPLE SHEET HOLDER AND DISPLAY HACK. APPLICATION map JAN.29. I916- 1,292,720; Patented Jan. 28, 1919.

3 $HEETS-SHEET 3.

Z I" .ll. [nyentan' JAMES C. DAWSON, 0F WEBSTER GROVES, MISSOURI.

PORTABLE SAMPLE-SHEET HOLDER AND DISPLAY RACK.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patented J an. 28, 1919.

Application filed January 29, 1916. Serial No. 75,101.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JAMES C. DAWSON, a

citizen of the United States, and resident of W'ebster Groves, county of St. Louis, and State of Missouri, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Portable Sample-Sheet Holders and-Display-Racks, of which the following is a specification, and which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, forming a part thereof.

The invention relates to sample carriers and more particularly to those which comprise covers for holding sample sheets and are adapted to afford an} efiicient protection to the sheets while being carried from place to place and to provide an easel for an attractive display of the sheets when the same are to be examined. The selection of some sheet materials, as for example wall paper,

is customarily made by the examination of a greatnumber of samples'and these -samples are frequently required to be of large size to show the complete pattern. While it has been the practice to combine a number of these sample sheets together in book form, the book covers have usually been of an inexpensive flexible material and'such covers do not afford either a substantial protection for the sheets or a convenient holder to display the sheets for examination. The present invention accordingly contemplates an efficient holder in which sample books of the kind now employ-ed ma y be interchangeably used. The object of the invention is to provide an improved sample carrier anddisplay rack for the purpose indicated.

In the accompanying drawings,

Figures 1 and 2 are perspective views showing one form of the improved sample carrier and display rack in the open and closed positions, respectively,

Fig. 3 is a sectional view of the holder in open position, the sample books being omitted for simplicity of illustration,

Figs. 4: and 5 are perspective views showing details of the means employed for detachably securing the sample books within the covers.

Fig. 6 is a detail perspective view of a fastening strap which may be employed for retaining the covers of the holder in either the open or the closed position,

Figs. 7 and 8 are a side and front elevation, respectively, showing another form of the holder in the open position, and

Figs. 9 and 10 are similar to Figs. 7 and 8, respectively, but show still another form of construction.

The improved holder preferably comprises a pair of stiff covers 15 and 16 and a stiff back section 17. The stiff back section 17 is preferably of a width about equal to the combined thickness of all of the sample books to be carried. It is hingcdly connected to each of the covers 15, 16, as upon the hinge lines 18 and 19, respectively. If now a stout handle, as 20, Fig. 2, is applied to the back section 17 upon the outside, the several parts will readily assume the relative positions illustrated in Fig. 2, where they constitute a conveniently portable holder for containing the sample books, as 21, 22,

23 and 24. Preferably, however, some form r of clasp is provided for holdingthc covers 15, 16 in the closed position. As shown, a fastening tape 25 is employed and this tape is arranged to serve both for securing the cover 15, 16, in the closed position illustrated in Fig. 2. and for connecting the covers to limit their separation when folded to the open position illustrated in Figs. 1 and 3. For this purpose one end, as 59, of the tape 25 is permanently secured to the free edge of one of the covers, as 16, while the otherend of the tape is equipped with a pair of oppositely facing spring sockets 27 and 28. These spring sockets coiiperate with the studs 29 and 30, respectively, and are of the form usually employed in so-callcd snap fasteners. The stud 29 is located upon the outside of the cover 15, at a considerable distance from its free edge, and the st-ud'30 is located upon the inside of the cover 15 near its free edge. This arrangement permits of the tape 25 being of a sufiicient length to limit the separation of the covers 15, 16 when the socket 28 is applied to the stud 30, as in Figs. 1 and 3. while it also serves to hold the covers 15. 16 tightly closed upon the contained sample books, when the socket 27 is applied to the stud 29, as in Fig. 2.

It will also be observed that when the two covers 15, 16 are so folded that the inside of each cover is outwardly facing and the separation of the free edges of the two covers is limited by the tape 25, the arrangement may be such that the cover 16 occupies a substantially upright position and the cover 15 an inclined position, as in Figs. 1 and 3, or the cover 15 may occupy asubstantially upright position, in which case the cover 16 will occupy an inclined position. In either case the upright cover serves as the face of an easel for the display of a part of the contents of the holder and the inclined cover constitutes the supporting leg of the easel. These two alternate positions of the parts are permitted by the use of the stiff back section 17. In 1 be one case, the stiff back section extends upwardly from the inner edge of the cover 15 and is folded against the outside of the cover 16 In the other position, the stitl' back section 17 extends upwardly from the inner edge of the cover 16 and is folded against the outside of the cover 15.

It is preferred that the sample books, as 21, 22, 23 and 24 be removably held within the covers 15,16. Furthermore, amore efl'ective display of the sample sheets is permitted if each book is hingedly secured upon the inside of one of the covers 15', 16, adjacent its inner end. In the arrangement shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4 a set of binding posts, as 31 or 32 is provided for holding each of two large sample books, as 21 and 22. Each of these last mentioned sample books may comprise sheets which are nearly equal in'size with the covers 15, 16. In this case, each set of binding posts 31 or 32 is passed through the corresponding sample book 21 or 22 near the inner or binding edge of the same. A rod, as 33 (Fig. 4) is then passed through all of the posts, 31 or 32' of each set over the corresponding sample book, "and serves for preventing displacement of the book on the posts. Frictional resistance to prevent accidental displacement of the rods is provided, if the aperture, as 34, for receiving the rod, in one of the posts of each set, is slightly inclined to the normal direction of the corresponding rod. Y

The said hinged connection of the sample books, as 21, 22 with the covers 15 and 16, respectively is provided by mounting the posts .31 r 32, of each set upon a metal bar 35 which is hingedly connected with the corresponding cover 15, or 16 along one edge. As shown, each metal bar 35is inclosed within a cover 36 of binders cloth. The material from which this cover is formed is extended at one side of the bar 35, as at 37, forming a hinge flap and this hinge flap is secured to the cover 15 or 16, as by rivets 38. Preferably the arrangement is such that the hinged connection of the bar 35 with the corresponding cover 15 or 16, is along the inner edge of the bar. The posts 31 or 32 accordinglyswing upwardly.v when the holder is opened,.as in Figs. 1 and 3, thereby permitting a more convenient backward folding of theleaves of the sample book 21 or 22.

If desired the sample books 23 and 24 may be composed of leaves which are of smaller size than the leaves of the books 21 or 22. In the arrangement shown in Figs. 1 and 5,

each of the sample books 23 and 24 is composed of leaves which are of somewhat less than one half theWidth of the leaves of either of the books 21 and 22. When this arrangement is employed, the two sample books 23, 24, may be placed side side over one of the larger sample books,'as 22. This arrangement is conveniently used when thetwo larger sample books 21 and 22 are employed for showing samples of wall paper with. large patterns, and the sample books 23 and 24 are employed for showing papers which are known as specialtyv papers and which are of a plain color or small pattern. As shown, each of the sample books 23 and 24 is permanently bound together with a hinge plate 39 or 40, and these hinge plates are so formed of folded sheet metal as to provide a row of loops, as 41, along one edge of each plate. The sample books 23 and 24 are then readily secured in place by threading one of the rods 33 through the loops 41 of the two hinge plates 39 and 40, as-the rod'is passed into the apertures of the corresponding bindin posts, as 32. If the loops 41 are so positioned on the rod 33 that some of the loops 41 are located upon the opposite sides of each of the posts 32, lateral displacement of the books 23 and 24 is pre vented. Vhen the-device is'opened to the position illustrated in Figs. 1 and 3, the leaves of the sample books 2.3, 24, maybe consecutively folded upwardly over the inner edge of the 'cover 16, or the two books 23, 24, may both be bodily folded over the inner edge of the cover 16 to permit the examination of the larger leaves of the book 22.

Either of the two modified forms of construction illustrated in Figs. 7 to 10 may be employed when more than two books of large sample sheets are to be contained between the covers 15, 16. In the form of construc-. tion illustrated in Figs. 7 and 8, a sample book 42 or 43, is permanently secured against the inside of-each of the covers 15 and 16. For this purpose rivets 44 may be passed through each of the books 42, 43, adjacent its inner edge and through the corresponding cover 15, 16. The rivets 44 of each set are alsopassed through a hinge plate 45 which is superimposed-upon the corresponding book 42 Or 43. Additional books, as 46, 47, are then secured in place, as by providing each book 46, 47, with a hinge plate 48 which is 1 adapted to mate with one of the hinge plates 45. One of the additional books, as 46, 47, is then superimposed upon each of the books 42,43, and is hingedly secured in place thereon by threading a rod, as 49, through the loops of the mating hinge plates 45 and 48.

The construction illustrated in Figs. 9 and 10 is the same as that illustrated in Figs. 7 and 8, except that all of the sample books, as 50, 51, 52 and 53, are hingedly secured in place. For this purpose a hinge and one of these hinge plates, as 55, mates with the hinge plate 5% upon the corresponding cover 50. Similarly each of the books 52, 53,.has a hinge plate 57 permanently mounted thereon, and each of these hinge plates 57 mates with one of the hinge plates 56. Rods, as 58, threaded through the loops of the mating hinge plates 54, 55, or 56, 57,.of each pair, serve for detachably holding. the sample books within the covers.

I claim as my invention,-

1. A portable hol ler and display rack for sample sheets comprising, in combination, a pair of stiff covers for the sheets, a stiff back section to the opposite edges of which the inner -ends of the two covers are hingedly connected to permit the folding of the said back section against the outer face of either of the covers, and a binding means for holding a quantity of the sheets along.

one edge of the same mounted upon the inside of each of the covers, each of the said binding means extending transversely across the corresponding cover adjacent that end of the same which is connected with the said stifi back section.

' 2. A portable holder and display rack for sample sheets comprising, in combination, a pair of stifi covers for the sheets, a stiff back section to the opposite edges of which the inner ends of the two covers are hingedly connected to permit the folding of the said back section against the outer face of either of the covers, a binding means for holding a quantity of the sheets along one edge of the same mounted upon the inside of each of the covers, each of the said binding means extending transversely across the corresponding cover adjacent that end of the same whlch is connected with the said stifi' back section, and means connecting the covers to limit the separation of their free ends when the inside faces of the two covers are directed outwardly.

3. A portable 'holder and display rack for sample sheets comprising, in combination, a pair of stiff covers for the sheets, a

stiff back section to the opposite edges of which the inner ends of the two covers are hingedly connected, an inwardly folding flap extending transversely over and hingedly connected to each of the covers upon the inside adjacent its said inner end and binding means for holding a quantity of the sheets along one edge of the same mounted upon each of the said inwardly folding flaps.

4; A portable holder and display rack for sample sheets comprising, in combination, a pair of stiff covers for the sheets hingedly connected together along their inner ends,

a plate extending transversely over one of the said covers upon the inside of the same adjacent its said inner end, the said plate being hingedly connected to the said cover along its inner edge and the outer edge of the plate being free, a plurality of binding posts rising from the said plate, each of the said posts being transversely apertured adjacent its higher end, a set of sheets filed upon the said posts, a second set of sheets and a plate having hinge loops along one edge bound together and superimposed upon the sheets of. the first mentioned set, and a hinge rod threaded through the apertures of the said posts over the sheets of the first mentioned set and through the hinge loops of the said plate which is bound together with the sheets of the second mentioned set.

5. A portable holder and display rack for sample sheets comprising, in combination, a pair of equal stiff covers for the sheets, a stiff back section to the opposite edges of which the inner ends of the two covers are hingedly connected, a binding means for holding a quantity of sheets along one edge of the same mounted upon the inside of one of the'covers adjacent its inner end, and

means connecting the covers to limit the separation of their free ends when the inside faces of the two covers are directed outwardly with the said back section folded against the outer face. of the cover upon which the said binding means is mounted whereby, when the free edges of the two covers stand upon a flat support, the cover upon which the said binding means is mounted is held in an approximately upright position by the other cover and the said back section.

JAMES C. DAWSON. 

